Practice areas
Family immigration
Petitions for spouses, parents, children, sons and daughters, and brothers and sisters of U.S. citizens, and for spouses and unmarried children of green card holders. Form I-130, then adjustment of status here or consular processing abroad.
Bringing your family together
As a U.S. citizen, you can sponsor a broader circle of relatives than a green card holder can, including your parents and your brothers and sisters. A green card holder can sponsor a spouse and unmarried children. Either way, the case starts with the same document: Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, which proves the family relationship to USCIS.
Neal E. Guttenberg works with families one on one to choose the right category and the right path, then prepares the petition and the green card application that follows.
Which category is your relative in?
| Your status | Relative | Category | Is there a wait? |
|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. citizen | Spouse | Immediate relative | No, a visa is always available |
| U.S. citizen | Unmarried child under 21 | Immediate relative | No |
| U.S. citizen, 21 or older | Parent | Immediate relative | No |
| U.S. citizen | Unmarried son or daughter, 21 or older | Family preference | Yes |
| U.S. citizen | Married son or daughter | Family preference | Yes |
| U.S. citizen, 21 or older | Brother or sister | Family preference | Yes |
| Green card holder | Spouse or unmarried child | Family preference | Yes |
Preference categories have yearly limits, so how long your relative waits depends on the category and their country of birth. The State Department’s Visa Bulletin shows where each line stands.
How a family case moves
- Form I-130. The petitioner proves their own citizenship or permanent residence and the family relationship, with birth certificates, marriage certificates and proof that earlier marriages ended.
- Waiting for a visa number, for preference categories only.
- The green card itself. A relative already in the U.S. who is eligible may file Form I-485 for adjustment of status, sometimes together with the I-130. A relative abroad goes through consular processing at a U.S. embassy or consulate.
- Affidavit of support. The petitioner files Form I-864 to show they can support the relative.
- Biometrics, medical exam and interview.
The details of the petition are in Form I-130 basics. Spouses have their own page: marriage-based green cards, with the full process in the marriage green card guide for spouses already in the U.S..
Why families call the firm
- You work directly with your attorney, one on one, not with a rotating team.
- Phone, video or in-person sessions, so relatives in other states or abroad can take part.
- The firm tries to answer the phone 7 days a week, not just 9 to 5.
Book a consultation and bring what you have: passports, birth and marriage certificates, and any earlier immigration paperwork for everyone involved.
From the firm’s existing website
Just as every person is different every immigration case can be different. We work with you on a one on one basis to find and offer you the best options to solve your immigration needs. We are here to help you reach your immigration goals! We navigate the complex landscape of immigration law, one case at a time. Contact us today at (203) 599-1119 Contact Us Soon to Halt Wage Garnishments (203) 599-1119
More information from the firm
- Immediate relatives
Spouses, unmarried children under 21, and parents of U.S. citizens who are 21 or older. There is no yearly limit on these visas.
- Preference categories
Adult sons and daughters, married children, and brothers and sisters of citizens, plus families of green card holders. These have yearly limits, so there is a wait.
- Here or abroad
Relatives in the U.S. may be able to adjust status. Relatives abroad go through the National Visa Center and a U.S. embassy or consulate.
What customers say about our Family immigration
“I highly recommend Neal to anyone looking for a good immigration attorney. He is honestly one of the best attorneys I’ve ever worked with. Neal helped me with my adjustment of status case and also handled my response to a Request for Evidence (RFE). From the beginning, he was very knowledgeable, diligent, and responsive. Whenever I had a question or was worried about something, I could call him and he would take the time to explain things and help me understand what was going on. He was always available when I needed him, which made the whole process a lot less stressful. What I appreciated most was that I never felt like I was just another case. He paid attention to the details and genuinely cared about my situation and the outcome of my case. If you’re looking for an immigration lawyer in Connecticut, including the New Haven or Hartford area, or even the Boston area, I would definitely recommend Neal. Especially if you have a family-based immigration case involving adjustment of status or an RFE, I would feel very comfortable recommending him. I’m very grateful for all of his help and everything he did for me.”
MANJIT SINGH, Google review
“I met Mr Neil to do an i130 for my daughter in Jamaica and he was right on, he drove to meet up with me because I couldn’t make it to where he was, I wish they had 10 star that’s what I would rate it.”
Ayesha Harrison, Google review
FAQ
Family immigration questions
Still have questions? Call us any day and ask.
Who can a U.S. citizen sponsor?
A U.S. citizen can file an immigrant visa petition for a spouse, a son or daughter, a parent, and a brother or sister. Parents can be sponsored once the citizen is at least 21. Spouses, unmarried children under 21 and parents are immediate relatives with no annual limit.
Who can a green card holder sponsor?
A lawful permanent resident can petition only for a spouse and for unmarried sons and daughters. These are preference categories, so the relative waits for a visa number to become available before the green card stage.
Does filing Form I-130 give my relative status?
No. The filing or approval of Form I-130 does not give your relative any immigration status or benefit. It establishes the family relationship, which is the first step before your relative applies for a green card.
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Petitions for spouses, parents, children, sons and daughters, and brothers and sisters of U.S. citizens, and for spouses and unmarried children of green card holders. Form I-130, then adjustment of status here or consular processing abroad.